HUNTERDON: Horizon BCBSNJ and Hunterdon Healthcare launch organization to ‘improve care for over 18,000 patients’

Nineteen Hunterdon Healthcare Partners doctors’ offices will be part of the Patient-Centered ACO

   Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Hunterdon Healthcare Partners have announced the launch of a Patient-Centered Accountable Care Organization that will benefit more than 18,000 Horizon BCBSNJ members in Hunterdon, Somerset and Mercer counties.
   Nineteen Hunterdon Healthcare Partners doctors’ offices will be part of the Patient-Centered ACO.
   Since July 2012, Hunterdon Healthcare Partners — and its 19 participating locations — have participated in one of Horizon BCBSNJ’s patient-centered programs, specifically the Patient-Centered Medical Home Program (Program). This new expansion of the Program to a Patient-Centered ACO will focus on increasing accountability for participating practices in delivering more comprehensive, integrated care to Horizon BCBSNJ members. In addition to better coordination of care, all patient treatments will be tied to evidence-based standards for prevention and wellness. Participating practices will take on increased accountability for improving quality outcomes for Horizon BCBSNJ members, while reducing the total cost of their care.
   ”Over the past year, Horizon BCBSNJ has successfully collaborated with Hunterdon Healthcare to improve quality outcomes and reduce unnecessary emergency room visits,” said Jim Albano, vice president of Network Management and Horizon Healthcare Innovations at Horizon BCBSNJ. “Expanding this relationship as a Patient-Centered ACO adds more accountability to improve health outcomes, and maintains a team-based, coordinated approach to care.”
   ”Collaborating with Horizon BCBSNJ will help Hunterdon Healthcare deliver better care at a better price. We think patients will see direct benefit from this approach,” explained Jeffrey Weinstein, executive director for Hunterdon Healthcare Partners. Weinstein added, “This not only supports our mission to deliver better access to primary care and specialist physicians, but will allow us to better provide integrated care to improve the health of our community.”
   The following family practices affiliated with Hunterdon Healthcare Partners will be participating in this Patient-Centered ACO:
   Annandale Family Practice – 56 Payne Rd, Suite 21, Lebanon
   Branchburg Family Health Center – 2143 South Branch Road, Somerville
   Cornerstone Family Practice – 9100 Wescott Drive, Suite 103, Flemington
   Dein Shapiro, MD – 3461 Route 22 East, Branchburg, NJ 08876
   Delaware Valley Family Health Center – 200 Frenchtown Road, Milford
   Highlands Family Health Center – 61 Frontage Road, Hampton
   Hopewell Family Practice – 84 East Broad Street, Hopewell
   Hopewell Family Practice – 84 Route 31 North, Pennington
   Hunterdon Family Practice and Obstetrics –1100 Wescott Drive, Suite 101, Flemington
   Morningstar Family Health Center, Inc. – 54 Old Highway 22, Clinton
   Phillips Barber Family Health Center – 72 Alexander Avenue, Lambertville
   Raritan Family Health Care – 901 US Highway 202 and Quick Avenue, Upper Level, Raritan
   Raritan Family Health Care – 2345 Lamington Road, Suite 104, Bedminster
   Riverfield Family Health Center – 1738 Route 31 North, Suite 203, Clinton
   Riverfield Family Health Center – 140 Boulevard, Washington
   The Doctor Is In – 59 Old Highway 22, Clinton
   The Doctor Is In – 149M Highway 31, Flemington
   The Doctor Is In – 1205 US Highway 22, Phillipsburg
   Your Doctors Care – 71 Route 206 South, Hillsborough.
   Under this Program, Horizon BCBSNJ provides participating practices with funding to support Population Care Coordinators (PCCs) on site at all practice locations. PCCs are nurses who coordinate treatment and engage patients to take more control of their own health.